One of the most classic and
recognized stitches in temari-making is Uwagake
Chidori kagari. It's commonly used to make a kiku
motif, as well as in creating other designs and motifs. It's often the
first stitch a student will learn, and it's one of the four required
submissions of work for the
JTA Honka/Level 1 certification exam. The hallmark of the
stitch is the
"woven wedge" that forms as the stitch is worked. An example of
traditional Uwagake is shown to the right.

Uwagake Chidori Kagari is one of
the most common, popular and basic stitches. While the basic form
is simple, there are many style variations that can be applied that
result in differing artistic outcomes to that classic, standard wedge
(probably as many as there are temari artist imaginations). There are
some however that have become more commonly used and can be found
(sometimes very subtly) in the Japanese books. It's important to note
that "variations" here means making actual adjustments in taking the
stitch, as opposed to applying extra styles (such as nejiri/interlocked)
to rows of standard uwagake chidori.

Beginning in the spring of
2015 the TalkTemari group began a gradual journey through some of them.
A collection of short tutorials from that work has evolved and been
summarized. These are not full project designs, just the working stitch
path; they can be practiced on any standard division and then applied in
any manner that one's imagination can dream.

There should be a mastery and
understanding of standard uwagake
chidori kagari before delving into variations. The upper woven
wedge that is the hallmark of the stitch should be neat, crisp, and
symmetrical; if this hasn't been mastered then working the variations is
going to have disappointing results. When working the different styles,
pay attention to the tension of the stitches - it may need to be
adjusted (most often loosen a bit) especially if working on a smaller
ball and/or lesser-value division (as in say an 8 versus 12 or 16).
Remember that just as regular Uwagake Chidori can be worked on any value
division or marking, so too can these variations; the division shown is
not required for working the stitch path. It helps greatly to recall the
working rule of "lay the thread where you want it to go and take the
stitch to keep it there". It usually is easier to begin stitching at the
bottom point rather than the top, since adjusting the pole/upper
stitches can make it more difficult to start and stop threads. In most
applications, it doesn't matter how long the points are or how close to
the pole the upper stitches are placed; both can be varied as desired
just as in traditional uwagake. Therefore, these guides focus only on
the stitching paths for each unless otherwise needed. One way to have
fun exploring these stitches is to work them in the centers of an
8-Toubun or 10-Toubun division, in a sampler-style design.

1. Work one row of regular Uwagake Chidori Kagari on both sets
of lines.

2. For row 2 and all successive rows, pass the thread UNDER
the stitch of the previous row.

3. The stitch is then taken as usual.

4. Carry the thread over and down to the next line for the
bottom point stitch (remember to stretch).

5. Continue on each upper stitch by passing thread under
previous rows before taking stitch

6. Keep that needle entry in the same place as if working
normally; don't allow the stitch width to shrink and become
narrow just because it's hidden. If the stitch width isn't the
same as the visible threads, they will collapse without anything
under them.